Salah and Caldentey Win 2025 PFA Player of the Year

The 2025 PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) Awards were held in London last night, and two outstanding stars of the game walked away with the top honors. Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah was named the Men’s Player of the Year, while Barcelona and Spain’s rising talent Mariona Caldentey won the Women’s Player of the Year award.

This year’s ceremony celebrated footballers who not only shone on the pitch but also inspired millions of fans around the world with their consistency, work ethic, and leadership.

Mohamed Salah: Still at the Top

At 33, many expected Salah’s powers to fade, but he has once again proved why he is regarded as one of the greatest forwards of the modern era. This past season, Salah was Liverpool’s key man, scoring crucial goals in both the Premier League and European competitions. Fans admired not only his pace and finishing but also his ability to step up in important matches.

Former players and pundits at the event praised Salah for maintaining such elite standards for nearly a decade in England. One commentator noted, “It is rare for an attacker to stay at the highest level for this long. Salah’s dedication shows young players that discipline and hard work can sustain success.”

For many fans, this award also feels like recognition of Salah’s journey — from his humble beginnings in Egypt to becoming a global icon.

Mariona Caldentey: A Rising Star Shines Brighter

On the women’s side, Mariona Caldentey enjoyed a dream season with Barcelona. At just 29, she has been part of Spain’s golden generation that won the Women’s World Cup in 2023 and continued to dominate club football.

Caldentey’s intelligence, creativity in midfield, and ability to score from difficult positions made her an easy choice for this year’s recognition. She has been described as a “complete footballer” — someone who can control the flow of the game, provide assists, and deliver when her team needs a decisive goal.

For young girls watching across the world, Caldentey’s win is hugely inspiring. She represents how women’s football has grown rapidly, with players getting both respect and recognition for their talent.

A Reflection of the Game’s Growth

The PFA Awards are voted for by fellow players, which makes this honor extra special. It is not just about statistics, but about respect from those who share the same pitch.

What stands out this year is how the names of winners — Salah and Caldentey — reflect football’s expanding story. On one side, Salah remains a symbol of experience, longevity, and leadership. On the other, Caldentey is the face of a new future in the women’s game — a player whose peak years still lie ahead.

Fans across social media today are celebrating the two winners. Many called Salah “timeless” and a “true legend,” while Caldentey was praised as “the heart of Barcelona’s midfield.” A few supporters even suggested that this marks a “passing of the torch” moment, as men’s football honors a veteran, while women’s football crowns one of its brightest stars for the next decade.

What It Means Going Forward

For Salah, the award reaffirms his place among the legends of English football. Questions will naturally follow about how much longer he can maintain this level, but for now, he remains Liverpool’s main man.

For Caldentey, this recognition will only increase expectations. She is already being seen as the leader of Spain’s next generation, and many believe she has the potential to go down as one of the best midfielders in women’s football history.

The 2025 PFA Awards were not just about celebrating two athletes, but about showing the direction in which football is moving. The men’s game continues to honor consistency and legacy, while the women’s game highlights new heroes shaping the sport’s future.

Salah and Caldentey — one a symbol of endurance, the other of rising brilliance — together capture the beauty of football today: a sport for all, where greatness can come from any corner of the world.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies